Spread The Better: A Special Thanks

Some days are just harder than others. For no particular reason, there are days when grief and heartache team up and come at me full force, knocking me off of my feet. I could feel a steady stream of tears rolling down my cheeks while rain fell simultaneously from the New York sky. The heavens were crying with me for a moment...the Earth stood still.

Difficult moments lead to reflection. Reflection leads to anguish. Anguish to resiliency. Resiliency to courage. Courage to action. And action is an opportunity to Be Better. These thoughts were circulating around in my brain, when all at once...

The visual calm after the NY storm. An invitation to dry my eyes and redirect my energy for today.

Rochester, NY

Rochester NY

Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

I have met hundreds of people on this tour who have had an integral part to play in rebuilding the foundation for my life. Their kind acts enabled me to begin climbing my way out of the darkness. Each and every one has been extraordinary in their own way and I will be forever grateful that we were able to have this monumental experience.

I would be remiss, however, if I didn't mention three people who have been there for the kids and I each and every day we've been forced to live without Andrew. (Understanding there are many others I would love to mention but no way to include everyone.)

First: GOD

It is no secret that my faith has been supremely tested and tried over the past two and half years. When I attempt to pinpoint where the questioning and emptiness come from, I know that I am in no way angry with God. I've heard others mention that they've blamed God in a loss of this magnitude, "How could He do this?", "Why did He let him die?"

That is not the nature of my spiritual struggle.

As cowardly as it may seem, mine more or less developed as a lack of desire and commitment to the way of life I'd known for the previous 28 years. After losing the love of my life and the father of my children so suddenly and tragically, everything else seemed far less important. I didn't feel that I had enough energy and strength to put into anything beyond the most basic of daily tasks. Making sure my children's clothing was neatly pressed for church on Sunday, or making sure we held regular scripture study was not on my short list. I was lucky to pick my head up off my pillow many days.

I have come to recognize that it doesn't matter how disconnected I may cause myself to feel from God, He never disconnects from me. He never disconnects from any of us. We will never be perfect. Andrew so beautifully taught this message by saying, "Be Better" rather than, "Be Perfect". We aren't expected to have all the answers, all the energy, or all sinless days. God loves us regardless. It was about time that I reopened my line of communication with Him and expressed my thanks to Him for carrying me at the time when I was too weak to stand. I thanked Him for facilitating the relationships in my life who enabled me to endure and conquer this trial, triumphantly.

I thanked Him for loving me when I felt unlovable; watching over me when I turned away from Him; and blessing me abundantly when I felt so unworthy and undeserving of such things.

Today I focused on my relationship with the Father during our time in Palmyra, NY. This is the location of Hill Cumorah, believed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to be the location where the golden plates containing scripture were buried and eventually retrieved and translated by the prophet Joseph Smith.

Juliann

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann

Juliann

Shiloh, Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann

Choice and Tate

Juliann

Shiloh, Jason, and Choice

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Juliann

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

Choice

Juliann

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Juliann, Ryder, Rusty, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Jason and Rusty

Choice, Shiloh, Juliann, Ryder, and Tate

Being fueled with peacefulness from Hill Cumorah, we visited the log home of Joseph Smith's family and the Sacred Grove where Joseph Smith reported to have seen God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. For the past 150 years, the grove has been preserved as it was at the time Joseph Smith knelt there in prayer at the youthful age of 14. That same feeling of peace from Hill Cumorah was felt in the grove.

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, Tate, and Juliann

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Shiloh, Ryder, Juliann, Tate, and Choice

Juliann

Tate, Juliann, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

Juliann

Juliann and Choice

Ryder, Tate, Juliann, Choice, and Shiloh

Choice, Juliann, and Shiloh

Ryder, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Tate

Juliann and Choice

Ryder, Tate, Juliann, Choice, and Shiloh

Choice Juliann, and Shiloh

Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Juliann, Ryder, and Shiloh

Ryder, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Tate

Juliann

We made our way out of the Sacred Grove with a renewed desire to deepen our relationship with God. He deserves all the credit and praise for any growth I've had. Thank You Lord.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Second: DEBORAH (My Mother-In-Love)

I feel my eyes well up with tears just at the mention of her name. She is without a doubt the most consistent, involved, unconditional, empathetic, and loving person in my life. There has not been a day that has gone by since June 30, 2013, NOT ONE SINGLE DAY, where I have not heard from her. During Andrew's years on this Earth, that was true for him as well. She isn't a mother who claims to love her children, she isn't a mother who tries to be involved, she isn't a mother who wants to stand for truth. SHE LOVES DEEPLY AND GENUINELY. SHE IS INVOLVED IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY. SHE STANDS FOR TRUTH, TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CHANGE! She is a warrior. She is a woman who knows and loves God. She is a hero who loves her sons dearly and raised both of them to become heroes themselves. Andrew...a hotshot who lost his life in his duty to answer the call. TJ...a soldier in the US Army who serves his country honorably each and every day.

Deborah

She has been a stalwart supporter of our mission to Spread the Better ever since day 1 when I talked to her about sharing Andrew's message with the world. She helped me conceptualize and plan, always going with a more rational, logical, and safe approach than the one I had. She wears her be better band and talks to others about her sons mantra.

Deborah

Deborah's support for me did not begin with this trip. She has been my dearest friend, my backbone, and my Mom. As you can imagine, the process of picking up the pieces after the loss of a loved one is not for the faint of heart. I tremble now at the memory of those extremely challenging days; the kind that would drop you to your knees and have you pleading for the load to be taken from you. There is no possible way that I would have been able to survive if I was asked to carry that load alone. Among other family members and dear friends, Deborah was there for me in each and every way. She was in my kitchen with me when the sheriffs were there delivering the life-shattering news. My heart breaks as I recall the strength she exuded knowing that without her showing hope I would crumble. All the while, her whole world was stripped away from her at the knowledge that her baby had been taken back to heaven far too soon. That bravery shows its glorious face at each difficult turn.

She was there with me to retrieve Andrew's belongings from the sup truck he rode in to the Yarnell fire. Together we worked through the truck and the buggy, our heart strings tugged on with the recovery of each item that had a connection to our sweet Andrew.

Deborah and Juliann

I will note that we had an entire family army of loving supporters who were there to assist in any way we needed. I think that out of respect for our close relationships with him, the rest of them looked on as Deborah and I did the hands on part of this task.

Entire family

Deborah has a very special and close relationship with her sons. I was moved at the way that she handled herself at Andrew's service. This was another day that no parent should ever have to endure as normally children do not proceed them in death. A few photos below capture the way in which she nobly stood over Andrew's casket until the very last moment. Us mothers understand the need to watch over our children. Just today Ryder called me a "Smother Mother". It is that innate need that God places within each of us to protect our children. She stood tall as he could no longer stand. She held her composure for those of us who needed to borrow some of that strength. She unquestionably made Andrew proud to be her son.

Deborah overlooking while Juliann is presented with Andrew's flag

Deborah standing near Andrew

She raised great men who cultivate that same wonderful quality. Andrew's older brother, TJ, stood in his military blues over his brother's open grave and in the most dignified way, held me up. A blessing I do not have suitable words for. A debt I cannot repay.

Juliann and TJ

Deborah is not only my strength and light but she serves in that capacity for her grandchildren as well. Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice absolutely adore their Grandma. The ins-and-outs of their daily life include her. She was there in the quiet moments behind closed doors as well as those public moments that I dreaded facing alone.

Ryder and Grandma Deborah

Grandma Deborah and Tate (her "Butter Bean")

Grandma Deborah and Tate

Tate and Grandma Deborah

Shiloh and Grandma Deborah with the AZ Diamondbacks

Deborah standing with Juliann

Deborah with Juliann in the difficult moments

She is an irreplaceable and top notch Grandma.

Deborah's Grandkids: Choice, Nevaeh, Ryder, Rylee, Tate, Shiloh, and Audrey

With the children and I being away from Arizona for the last 9 months, Deborah has taken it upon herself to be there for everything involving Andrew that we have to miss.

From charity events...

to events held in honor of his memory...

to overseeing his grave site...

Deborah is there, and she is so wonderful to keep us in the loop from a distance. She will manicure Andrew's grave and send photos for us to see that it is being cared for in our absence. She will attend events wherein Andrew is remembered and send photos and information of how it went. These are the acts of service she renders us that are counted among our greatest of blessings. Without that presence in Arizona, I am not sure that this trip would have been possible.

She has her own individual relationship with grief. Together with myself and Roxanne Warneke, she's spearheaded and founded the Wildland Firefighter Guardian Institute. A nonprofit organization who is dedicated to improving wildland firefighting for the future by providing support, education, and safety for firefighters. Please check out the institute and consider getting involved...

wfgi.org

This need to better the wildland firefighting world is placed upon Deborah as a parent doing all she can to honor her fallen child. I do not even claim to know what she feels but I am saddened that she has to feel it. Just yesterday she shared the following link with me saying that it completely embodies her feelings:

http://stillstandingmag.com/2015/10/7-things-ive-learned-since-loss-child/

The kids and I wanted to celebrate Deborah on our trip. While in Harrison City, PA we stopped by to visit her childhood home. It was a sweet experience to stand in the front yard with her grandchildren knowing that she stood in that very same yard when she was a child. Her father, Andrew's Grandpa, planted the very tree that we were standing under in these photos.

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Juliann and Choice

Choice and Juliann

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Shiloh

I love you Mom. You embody everything praiseworthy and beautiful that a Mother should strive to be. Andrew was more blessed to have you for 29 years than most people are who enjoy a long life. Thank you for raising the man whom grew to be the love of my life and the Daddy of our children.

Andrew at the Grand Canyon

I wish I could adequately express how grateful I am to you for giving me all of the love and wisdom and guidance that you would otherwise be giving to Andrew. I know he appreciates the way in which you have scooped his family up under your wing and nurtured us. A mother hen is no less glorious and admired if she has to hold onto a variety of eggs. Thank you for so graciously letting us in.

Third: PATTY (Patrick J. McGroder III)

It goes without saying that God and Deborah were both actively involved in my life prior to the fire that claimed Andrew's life and changed mine forever. That is not the case with Pat, however. He is a gift from God that came into our family's lives shortly after the event. The role for which he was retained by our family was that of a trial lawyer. Never could we have imagined that he would turn out to be our biggest supporter, our dearest friend, and a life long part of our family.

I feel it is necessary to give credit where credit is due, and provide a formal description of Pat's legal career:

Pat has been recognized by his peers as one of the finest trial lawyers in America. He specializes in high profile, catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation. As an architect of social change, Pat has been on the cutting edge of litigation that has led to HMO reform, road design improvement, motor vehicle and aviation safety changes and nursing home regulation.

During forty years of trial practice, Pat has been lead counsel in more than 100 cases in which there has been a verdict or settlement in excess of $1,000,000, having recovered over $500 million for his clients during this time. Pat’s litigation success is only matched by his commitment to social justice in his community and his philanthropy. In 2010, he was inducted into the Maricopa County Bar Hall of Fame for decades of excellence in the practice of law. In recognition for his “unfailing commitment to the principles of professionalism, decency and civility in the legal profession,” Pat was recently awarded the Ken Clancy Memorial Award by the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Pat is a Fellow and Past President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers. He has been selected as one of the 10 Best Lawyers in Arizona by the AZ Business Journal. Since 2008, he has been selected by Lawdragon as one of the 500 best lawyers in America. Pat was named by Best Lawyers in America as 2009 “Phoenix Personal Injury Litigator of the Year.” In 2005, he was a co-finalist for the National Trial Lawyers for Public Justice “Trial Lawyer of the Year” for his work in representing victims of fuel-fed fires in Ford police vehicles. In 2012, he became the third American to be named an Honorary Bencher to the Society of Kings Inns in Ireland for his work with the Barristers of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

He is highly revered by his fellow attorneys, his clients, public officials, and basically anyone who has ever met him who has a good judge of character. One of the many columnists who has written about this incredible man had this to say about him:

There are attorneys who want as big a book of business as possible. But not personal injury attorney Patrick McGroder. He’s selective. He only takes five cases at a time. That way, he can go at them the only way he knows how—with everything he’s got.

“I’m certainly not going to out think anyone, but no one can outwork me,” he says. “And I enjoy working.”

He certainly does—for almost three decades, he has worked 14-hour days, six days a week. “My work is my hobby, it’s my passion,” he says. “I feel very strongly that it’s my calling.”

McGroder was raised in a family that believes in callings.

The Phoenix-based partner with Gallagher & Kennedy says that most of his cases carry the building blocks of social architecture. “Virtually every case involves some component of failure or negligence or gross negligence that, irrespective of the case, needs to be remediated to avoid further tragedy,” he says.

McGroder did more than simply remedy an issue when he represented victims and their families against Ford Motor Co.—he helped save lives. “We believed there was a defect in the fuel delivery system of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptors that resulted in fuel-fed fires upon rear impact,” he says. “The fires trapped officers in the vehicles, either incinerating them to death or inflicting catastrophic burn injuries.” Starting in 1998, McGroder spent almost 10 years on the case, which spanned the nation. As a result of litigation, in addition to compensating victims and families of victims, more than 350,000 police vehicles were remediated, and Ford incorporated new designs on future models. “I know that as a direct result of these changes numerous police officer lives have been saved,” he says. “And we feel very good about that.”

When two high school honor students were gunned down by a juvenile who had been prematurely released from a privately run boot camp, McGroder didn’t just shut down the facility. The defendants had to fund annual college scholarships in the name of the victims for two students from the victims’ high school. “I think it was important to leave a perpetual legacy for these two students whose lives were cut short so tragically,” McGroder says.

McGroder’s work to change his community doesn’t stop with his law practice.

Both he and his family are deeply committed to giving back through community service. McGroder says that from an early age his parents instilled in him that community service was not an option, it was an obligation, and he has tried to give back to his community as much as he has benefited from it. “Whether it is causes such as the homeless or fatherless boys or impoverished folks, my whole family is committed to community services,” he says. “I feel that that is absolutely a big part of my life.”

In 2009 McGroder was named Personal Injury Litigator of the Year in Phoenix based on survey results by his peers. He is humbled by the award and contributes the honor to his respect for others in the courtroom. “I think for the most part if you asked opposing lawyers they would tell you that I’m a pretty good guy,” he says.

The City of Prescott had erroneously placed Andrew in the wrong retirement system creating a whole slew of legal hurdles for me after his passing. With my background as a paralegal, I had enough knowledge to know that things were not handled appropriately, I was certain that Andrew was eligible for all the benefits of a full-time employee of the city, I just was in no way equipped to take on this fight alone.

Juliann

David Leibowitz, Juliann Ashcraft, and Tom Kelly

Juliann

I did the best I could with what I had at that time, even holding a press conference in a concerted effort to gain the support of the public. No matter how tall I tried to stand, how loud I tried to shout, and how much research I had done...it became evident to me that I didn't have the skill-set or credibility to instigate change within the city. But I assured them I would never, ever stop fighting.

The skill-set and credibility that I was lacking came in the way of Patrick McGroder. Not only did he bring those two things to the table but a multitude of gifts, talents, wisdom, morals, and commitments that ultimately changed my life and my children's lives forever. He composed himself with dignity and class as he informed the city of the error of their ways.

Juliann, Pat McGroder, Esq, and Shannon Clark, Esq.

The brilliant combination of work contributed by Pat, Shannon Clark, Tom Kelly and Caroline McGroder led to the outcome that was placed upon my heart from the onset of the struggle. He was my mouthpiece, my backbone, my friend. He stood tall and proud. Each and every opportunity he had to make a decision, he chose the high road paved with honesty and integrity. Earning himself the reputation among my family and friends as the best lawyer in the world, a hero, and one hell of a great guy.

To my children, he is in fact SUPERMAN.

Pat "Superman" McGroder

Choice and Patty

Choice and Patty with family

And to me, he's simply the best there ever was. The gold standard and the measure for which I will use to raise my boys into men.

Juliann

One way to do just that was to take them to a couple of places that are relevant to Pat's background and upbringing. This caused us to bundle up as we were heading to Buffalo, NY...Pat's hometown.

Shiloh

Buffalo NY

Ryder, Choice, Tate, Juliann, and Shiloh

Choice, Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Juliann

Choice, Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Juliann with Shark Girl

Ryder with Shark Girl

Shiloh with Shark Girl

Jason with Shark Girl

Tate with Shark Girl

Juliann with Shark Girl

Choice, Shiloh, Juliann, Tate, and Ryder with Shark Girl

Shiloh, Tate, Ryder, Juliann, and Choice

Choice and Tate

Ryder, Juliann, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

This was without a doubt the most biting cold I had ever experienced. The wind was blowing in excess of 50 miles an hour and the grey sky was unforgiving. Had we not been so driven to see where Pat came from we probably would have packed up a made our way out of town much sooner. Therein can be found one lesson of Pat's resilience and strength.

His Father Patrick J. McGroder, Jr., whom Patty reveres, resembles and reverences, was Vice President of the Buffalo Bills. This made the Ralph Wilson stadium (home of the Bills) a must see stop on our tour.

The stadium still holds Mr. McGroder within, and upon, its walls.

Buffalo Bills Stadium

Juliann, Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Juliann, Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

Choice and Tate

Niagara Falls was another one of those must-see places while in the area. Yet, it took everything within us to battle the chill against that falling water.

Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Ryder

Choice

Ryder and Tate

Rusty and Shiloh

Rusty, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Choice

Choice

Choice and Ryder

Ryder

Choice and Tate

Rusty, Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate

Tate and Choice

Rusty at Niagara Falls

Ryder, Juliann, Rusty, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann

Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

Shiloh

Choice and Juliann

Juliann, Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh

Tate, Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Juliann

Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh

Niagara Falls

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Juliann, and Choice

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, Jason, and Rusty

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Jason

Rusty, Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Jason

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Juliann, and Choice at Niagara Falls

Splendor. A vision I will never forget. In order to live to tell about it, however, it was time to get in out of that cold. We ventured quite a distance to visit another place that reminds us of Patty.

The home of the fighting Irish!

The knowledge that Patty went to Notre Dame has been enough for Ryder to proclaim that this will be the university he attends. We thought we would give him a premature Freshman Orientation.

Juliann and Ryder

Tate, Choice, Shiloh, Juliann, and Ryder

Ryder and Shiloh

Shiloh

Ryder, Tate, Juliann, Shiloh, and Choice

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Juliann, and Choice

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann

Choice, Juliann, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

Ryder and Juliann

Choice, Juliann, and Tate

He is a Buffalonian. He is an Irishman. He is a Leader, a Teacher, and a Treasured Friend.

Patty

Through his guidance I have learned that it is still okay to dream. That all of the potential dwelling inside of me is still alive and well.

He has given me gifts of self worth and confidence by believing in me and standing by my side that trump even that of the unprecedented legal assistance he provided.

What better way for you to know Patty than to read his own words. When asked to give a Commencement Address to a graduating class in Buffalo, he brought the audience to their feet with the following words that are applicable to each and every one of us today.

I OFFER THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU, THE CLASS OF 2013.

SOCIAL MEDIA, TEXTING, TWEETING, INSTAGRAMMING, FACEBOOKING ARE ALL PRODUCTS OF YOUR GENERATION. I CHALLENGE YOU – TO LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION. DON’T START EVERY SENTENCE WITH A FIRST PERSON PRONOUN. THE WORLD IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU.

AS YOU’RE OFF TO COLLEGE, THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WILL BE YOUR KEY THEN AND IN THE FUTURE TO ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, PROVIDE YOU WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE HUMAN CONDITION.

DURING YOUR LIFE YOU’LL FACE COMPETITION, NOT A CONCEPT CONFINED TO SPORTS. THERE’LL BE COMPETITION IN COLLEGE, PROFESSIONAL LIFE AND BUSINESS.

UNDERSTAND YOU MAY LOSE, BUT MAKE SURE YOU’RE NEVER BEATEN.

I MEAN DO EVERYTHING WITHIN YOUR POWER AND CONTROL TO MAKE EVERY TASK A SUCCESS. DON’T FAIL AND LOOK BACK AND SAY, YOU KNOW I SHOULD HAVE WORKED HARDER, SHOULD HAVE GONE THE EXTRA MILE.

IT’S OK TO LOSE, WE ALL DO, BUT DON’T BEAT YOURSELF.

IN YOUR DARKEST HOURS AND THERE WILL BE DARK HOURS, WE ALL EXPERIENCE THEM, REMEMBER GOD IS WITH US. TURN TO GOD, HE’S THERE, ALTHOUGH AT TIMES YOU MAY DOUBT IT OR QUESTION HIS MERCY.

THE POWER OF FAITH IS INDOMITABLE, YOU’RE BLESSED WITH IT-

DON’T’ ABANDON IT. EVER.

GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS YOU TAKE OUT.

IF YOU’RE BLESSED WITH A MODICUM OF SUCCESS NOT JUST FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND/OR YOU POSSESS INHERENT TALENTS, MAKE SURE YOU GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR FELLOW MAN IN VERY MEANINGFUL WAYS.

BE MEN FOR OTHERS.

ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS IN YOUR LIFE, IF YOU’RE SO FORTUNATE, WILL BE BECOMING A FATHER. WHETHER YOU EVENTUALLY HAVE CHILDREN, ADOPT THEM, INHERIT THEM OR ACT AS A SURROGATE FATHER, YOU WILL BE CHARGED WITH YOUR ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY. NOT ONLY LOVING THAT CHILD AS EVERY FATHER IN THIS ROOM LOVES YOU, BUT ENSURING THAT CHILD IS INFUSED WITH HONOR, INTEGRITY AND CHARACTER. THESE ARE THE PRODUCTS OF A GREAT

FATHER.

LASTLY GENTLEMEN, DON’T EVER FORGET YOU’RE A BUFFALO GUY. YOU MAY LEAVE AND NEVER RETURN TO LIVE HERE, BUT ALWAYS CARRY WITH YOU PROUDLY, THAT YOU’RE A BUFFALO GUY. YOUR FAMILY IS HERE AND WILL ALWAYS BE YOU’RE GREAT INSPIRATION AND SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT.

THE PEOPLE OF BUFFALO ARE SPECIAL; DIVERSE, ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS, HARD WORKING, RESILIENT, LOYAL AND DEDICATED TO OVERCOMING ADVERSITY.

BUFFALO WILL ALWAYS BE MY HOME TO CHERISHED MEMORIES,

FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERYWHERE I GO I RUN INTO BUFFALO PEOPLE. THE COMMONALITY AND CAMARADERIE IS ALWAYS SHARED. AS WELL AS THAT FLAT A ACCENT. NEVER DENY YOUR HERITAGE, BUFFALO IS A GREAT PLACE. REMAIN A BUFFALO GUY.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE TWO WORDS THAT ARE EMBEDDED IN EVERY BUFFALONIAN’S HEART.

TWO WORDS THAT SIGNIFY THE HIGH OF ELATION AND DEPTH OF DESPAIR.

TWO WORDS THAT FOR 16 WEEKS EVERY YEAR ARE ON THE LIPS OF EVERY TRUE BUFFALONIAN,

TWO WORDS THAT WILL ALWAYS MARK YOU AS A BUFFALO GUY.

“GO BILLS”.

GOD BLESS MY CLASSMATES AND THIS GRADUATING CLASS.

Now you see for yourself.

Thanks to God for giving my LIFE.

Thanks to Deborah for giving me ANDREW.

Thanks to Patty for giving me, ME.

Spread The Better

Thursday, November 5, 2015

A Special Thanks

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